Page 324 - New Medley 5 Semester 1

We can draw circles around (from east to west) the globe between the

North Pole and the South Pole at equal distance from each other. These
are named as parallels. We can also draw semicircles joining the North

Pole and the South Pole. These lines running from north to south are
named as meridians. The parallels and meridians cut each other at right

angles (90°).

Parallels

The globe shows a line which has been drawn North Pole

(from east to west) half way between the North
Pole and the South Pole. This line is named as

the equator. This is the biggest circle, which
can be drawn on the globe. This line divides Equator

the globe into two equal parts, which are called
hemispheres.

The part which is towards the north of the equator South Pole
is called the northern hemisphere. The part which Parallels on the Earth

is towards the south of the equator is called the southern hemisphere. The
equator and the smaller circles drawn parallel to the equator in both the

hemispheres are called the parallels. The angular distance north or south
of equator is called latitude. It is measured in degrees. Parallels are also

called the lines of latitude. The parallels give the north-south direction.

1. The parallels are drawn at an equal distance from each other.

2. The parallels are complete circles, except the poles, which are points.

3. The equator is the longest parallel. North Pole

4. The length of other parallels decreases away

from the equator towards the poles.

5. The equator is a great circle, while others are

small circles.

The equator is marked as 0° latitude. Thus the Prime
North Pole and the South Pole are 90° N and 90° S South Pole Meridian

Meridians

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